Milestones
Main Block
We successfully renovated our main block, upgrading the hospital's infrastructure. The renovation included the creation of a new patient waiting area and a dedicated medical records office, greatly improving the hospital’s atmosphere and reducing congestion. Additionally, the boardroom was refurbished to offer a more conducive space for meetings, continuous medical education (CME) sessions, and other official gatherings.
Imaging Hub
We established an imaging unit that has undergone a major upgrade with the addition of a state-of-the-art digital x-ray system, enhancing our existing ultrasound services. This strategic integration of digital x-ray technology within our advanced imaging unit is set to transform the diagnostic experience we provide. By combining ultrasound and digital x-ray capabilities, we offer a comprehensive, one-stop imaging solution. This approach eliminates the need for clients to seek external x-ray services, ensuring a more streamlined and efficient healthcare journey.
Surgical Services
We have refurbished our operating theatre to accommodate a wider range of both major and minor surgical procedures. These now include critical surgeries across specialties such as neurosurgery and otolaryngology, reflecting the versatility and comprehensive capabilities of our upgraded facility. Notable procedures performed include Caesarean sections, myomectomies, burr hole surgeries (both unilateral and bilateral), elevation of depressed skull fractures, craniotomy for epidural hematoma evacuation, tonsillectomy, and cochlear implantation. Looking forward, we are excited about expanding our surgical offerings, exploring new specialties, and incorporating advanced techniques in line with 21st century medical surgical practices.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) complex
We have developed an ICU complex that will house essential critical care services, including a ten-bed Intensive Care Unit, a Nephrology/Dialysis Unit with six standard beds and two VIP beds, along with an In-patient Ward. This facility will significantly strengthen the hospital's capacity to deliver specialized care to patients in critical need.
Oxygen Plant
We acquired a new oxygen plant, which is a vital system for our operation theatre and ICU units. The oxygen plant will play a crucial role in ensuring a stable and ample supply of medical oxygen.
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)
On August 15, 2023, a significant milestone was reached with the inauguration of the Hearing Clinic and Temporal Bone Laboratory at Makerere University Hospital. Operated by the Department of Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT), Head and Neck Surgery. This pioneering initiative marks the establishment of the first Hearing Clinic within a public hospital in Uganda. The clinic is dedicated to the comprehensive care and management of individuals with hearing impairments, providing essential support to improve their quality of life. The creation of the Hearing Clinic and Temporal Bone Laboratory not only addresses a vital healthcare need in the community but also positions Makerere University Hospital and Makerere University as leaders in healthcare innovation and as our motto goes: Health for today and tomorrow
Academic Vision Centre
The Centre offers comprehensive eye care including; Routine eye Examination, pediatric eye health and binocular vision assessment and therapy, low vision and rehabilitation services, ocular disease management, contact lens assessment and dispensing and career counselling based on the visual system.
Mak Integrated Health Management Information System (MakIHMIS)
We have recently had substantial progress with Mak DICTs in the development of the Mak Hospital Integrated Health Management Information System (HMIS). We have successfully designed and tested essential modules, including patient registration and retrieval, triage, clinic, laboratory, stores, and pharmacy. As we progress, we are currently piloting the Mak made system.
Stake Holder Engagement
We have actively engaged various stakeholders through three successful presentations on the Makerere University Health Service Scheme. The first physical presentation and interaction took place at the Makerere College of Natural Sciences (CONAS), focusing on raising awareness among Makerere staff about the scheme and collecting valuable feedback on service delivery. The other two events were webinars that included participants from the Makerere University staff associations—MUASA, MASA, and NUEI—under the theme "Makerere University Health Service Scheme: 18 Months after its Inauguration." These sessions aimed to inform staff about the scheme's scope, available health packages, and offer useful health tips. We have also taken advantage of other activities to inform the staff about the health service scheme. The most recent was when Economic Policy Research Centre was celebrating 30 years on March 21, 2024.
MaK RTI study
The Mak RTI study, sponsored by MakRIF, was designed to address the issue of Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) among students. Several impactful initiatives were carried out during the study, including the establishment of an information center and comprehensive outreach visits to student residence halls to engage with the university community. A major achievement of the project was the development and launch of the Mak RTI App, a mobile application that now has over 700 users, 632 of whom are students. The app plays a crucial role in the fight against RTIs, providing easy access to essential information, appointment scheduling, emergency services, and general hospital services. The Mak RTI App was officially launched on March 14, 2024.
Makerere University Health Scheme
On March 6, 2022, Makerere University staff officially began accessing healthcare services through the Makerere University Health Service Scheme, managed by Makerere University Hospital. To further enhance the effectiveness of this scheme, the University Management inaugurated a seven-member Health User Committee (HUC) on May 5, 2022, chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi. The HUC is tasked with monitoring staff satisfaction and evaluating the performance of the University Health Services. Additionally, it provides strategic advice to the University management on necessary improvements to ensure the growth and success of the Health Service Scheme. The committee includes representatives from MASA, MUASA, and NUEI, with the Directorate of Human Resources (DHR) serving as the secretariat. The hospital has successfully managed the Scheme for two years under the guidance and supervision from the Health User Committee. We have managed 20780 Mak staff outpatient visits since the commencement of the Mak health service scheme with 9974 (48%) males and 10806 (52%) females. In the year 2024, we registered a 12.1% increase in the Mak Health Service Scheme OPD visits, with 8446 visits, compared to 7532 in 2023.
Laboratory Services
The University Hospital Laboratory has undergone significant refurbishment and is now equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, including the Mindray BC-760, 7-series Hematology Analyzer, Mindray BS 430 Chemistry Analyzer, and Mindray CL 1000i Chemiluminescence Analyzer for immunoassays and cancer marker tests, among others. These upgrades enable the majority of diagnostic tests to be performed on-site, ensuring faster and more accurate results. The laboratory has also played a crucial role in supporting key research projects and clinical trials. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was instrumental in providing diagnostics for the nation and conducting research studies. To date, the lab has successfully trained over 50 Allied Health Professionals at various levels. Looking ahead, the lab aims to add more advanced equipment to establish itself as a one-stop centers for all diagnostic needs.
MaK Dental Hospital
A wider and better-equipped Dental Unit with 32 dental chairs was officially launched at Makerere University main campus, significantly enhancing dental healthcare services, student education, and research opportunities. The inauguration was commissioned by the First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni.